#27 Coastal Carolina Falls 9-3 at High Point in Game 1 of Saturday DH

HIGH POINT, N.C. - High Point's Ryan Retz went 4-for-5 with five RBI to lead the Panthers to a 9-3 win in game one of a Saturday doubleheader over #27 Coastal Carolina Saturday at Williard Stadium.

In addtion to Retz, High Point was led by starting pitcher Mike Caldwell, who improved to 4-1. The right-hander pitched 6.1 innings, allowing four hits and one run with a walk and four strike outs. After allowing Scott Woodward a lead off single to start the game, Caldwell retired the next 17 Chanticleers until Woodward delivered a two-out hit in top of the sixth. Caldwell then got a fly out to end the sixth.

Matt Rein suffered the loss in game one, falling to 5-2 on the season and getting his first career loss in Big South action. The senior allowed seven hits and fve runs (three earned) over five innings with two walks and four strike outs. Rein, the reigning conference Pitcher of the Week, fell to 8-1 in with three saves in 30 career league contests.

High Point took advantage of a Coastal error to score in the bottom of the first. Drew Geissinger singled and reached second on an error on Steve Antolik's fielder's choice. Ryan Retz singled to left to plate Geissinger and put runners on the corners. Murray White singled back up the middle to bring home Antolik for a 2-0 lead.

In the fifth, the Panters extended their lead to 5-0. Geissinger reached on a fielder's choice and Antolik walked. Retz cleared the bases with a three-run home runs that just satyed fair down the left field line.

In the seventh, Coastal broke through. Daniel Bowman hit a one-out double, giving the junior a 13-game hit streak and his 13th extra-base hit during the span. Rich Witten then reached on a High Point error. Designated hitter lined a double down the third base line, scoring Bowman. Taylor Motter then walked to load the bases. Corey Swikle came out of the HPU bullpen to get a pair of strike outs to keep the score 5-1.

The Panthers got that run back and then some in the home half of the seventh, going up 7-1. Antolik had a one-out double and Retz, who was 4-for-5, singled up the middle with the ball ricocheting off second base to allow Antolik to score for Retz's fifth RBI of the day and a 6-1 HPU lead. Retz moved to second on a wild pitch and scored on pinch hitter Robbie Gilles singled plate Retz.

Coastal got back in the game, scoring twice to make the score 7-3 in the top of the eighth. Woodward drew a one-out walk and Bowman drew a two-out walk. The two scored on a two-run double to right-center field by Rich Witten.

However, High Point once again answered. Spencer Andrews was hit by a pitch and Sal Pezzino doubled. With a drawn-in infield, Geissinger singled to score Andrews. Antolik then grounded into a double play to allow Pezzino to score for the 9-3 final.

Coastal loaded the bases in the ninth with two outs, but Swickle recorded a strike out to end the game and earn his first save.